The Fairmont Blue Mountains

This has to be the most family friendly hotel in the whole of New South Wales. I doubt that there is anywhere better for kids in Sydney or within 2 hours of Sydney that the Fairmont Blue Mountains.

This last weekend, we had the pleasure of heading out of Sydney for a family weekend away. Less than 2 hours away, the Blue Mountains is one of my favourite places to visit. I don’t know if it’s the pure clean air or the lack of City hustle bustle and noises but I just love it up there.

For years I’ve been trying to arrange a stay at the Fairmont Blue Mountains. Literally, since the beginning of 2016. This weekend, we finally got it right. Everything aligned and we headed off.

Just so you know: we paid for our room but did get a reduced rate.

But, as you know, I don’t write about or review anything that I wouldn’t recommend to my best friends.

Where is the Fairmont Blue Mountains

The Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel is the actual name for the hotel we commonly refer to as the Blue Mountains Fairmont.

As the name suggests it is just outside Leura. The actual address is 1 Sublime Point Road, Leura, NSW, 2780.

When you get to Sublime Point Road, at the T-junction with Watkins Road, you go left. Not right. Our GPS was adamant about going right but that is the wrong way.

When you get into this part of Leura, you will see numerous signs for the Fairmont.

What time of year to visit

Anytime of year is good. Especially, if you need to get out of Sydney with kids in tow. My favourite times of year up in the Blue Mountains is Winter and Spring. Although it does tend to rain in Spring.

Leura is absolutely beautiful in Spring and well worth a visit at this time of year.

I understand that the Fairmont has its busiest time of year in the Winter school holidays – June and July of each year.

Just before you book your visit – the hotel is under renovation. They are currently renovating the outdoor swimming pools and installing an outdoor ice rink.

I did not know this at the time of booking, I don’t know if it would have made a difference to us. However, if it’s boiling hot in the mountains you want to be able to swim outside. The Fairmont is currently installing an ice-rink as you will see next to the swimming pools. It is due to be complete for winter 2020. This means that there will be ongoing renovation until that time.

If you’re visiting without children – avoid school holidays!!

What makes the Fairmont Blue Mountains so great?

I think it depends who you ask. Maybe golfers would say the golf course. The tired moms may say the stunning spa. For the couples getting married it must be the gorgeous venue, the food and the views. If you ask the kids, any kids, they will probably tell you about the fish tank!! My kids were standing in front of the fish tank at their every opportunity!

For us, it was that the minute you walk in you can breathe a sigh of relief that this is a place that is okay with kids. On your way into the entrance, you can see the little train, the staff greet the kids before you hit the front door, there is a big fish tank that has a million interested kids in front of it. It is warm and welcoming and its okay that you come with hyperactive, bossy little people.

There is so much for kids to do and the atmosphere is family focused. Breakfast each morning is kids and families everywhere – laughing, eating and arguing.

The highlights for families have to be the kids activities on offer because once you get into the hotel, you don’t have to leave. You can set up home in your room and just stay there for the whole weekend.

The Activities

The Fairmont Blue Mountains is just geared for families with everything that is going on. While I am all about the black out curtains and the breakfast, I would not survive a holiday if there wasn’t something for the kids.

There are so many things for the kids to do. From the ad hoc facilities to the planned activities. Families can get together and go on a Segway tour or have a game of tennis. Spend time together in the heated indoor pool or kick a ball in the expansive grounds. If you’re exhausted from the drive like I was (two hours of being told what the speed limit was the whole way) you can sit in one of the indoor play areas and let the children run around while you gather your shattered mind.

There are two types of activities. The ad hoc, go whenever you like, and the planned ones that happen at certain times.

You could very easily arrive at the hotel on a Friday afternoon and not leave all weekend.

Ad hoc Activities

Inside play areas

The hotel has two indoor play structures. In addition to which there are two mini games arcades, a little bowling alley and a mirror maze. The two structures are called “Dane’s Room” and “Magic Kingdom”. Danes room is the smaller structure which is suited to under 4s and the Kids Magic Kingdom is a larger structure for 5 to 13 year olds.

These play areas are a little dark as they are away from the windows but they’re good for short visits.

Swimming Pools

There are meant to be three swimming pools. When we visited the two outdoor pools were under renovation. I understand that these will be open shortly – during the middle of October 2018.

Apart from the two outdoor pools, there is also a big indoor heated pool and an indoor spa.

The Maze and other Outdoor Activities

Outside there are more activities than just the pool and the ponies. The grounds are huge. There are tennis courts and nature walks for the active.

The gardens have lakes and ponds, park benches and bronzes littered around for you to discover. It’s a really beautiful and expansive setting.

We would sit outside overlooking the mountains, drink in hand while the kids ran around and kicked a footy ball. It was just lovely being in that space.

Now the maze is not very big. Probably best suited to younger kids. But, my kids just loved running through the maze and trying to work out ways to get through it quicker than each other.

Planned Activities

Pony Rides

During the weekend and on school holidays, the Fairmont runs pony rides and specific times. The pony rides are at the stables down at the bottom of the front lawn and the kids get to go on a short loop. They are constantly in sight, are led and its a relatively smooth surface.

It costs $10 per child per ride and Bookings are essential. It’s easy enough to get tickets, just chat to the Concierge or Reception.

Just remember that the minimum age 3 and the maximum weight is 35kgs per child.

Important Tip: If you want to do one of the planned activities, especially the pony rides, advise the hotel in advance. Even if it is just the day before. Book and pay as soon as you get there and get on the list because there is a long wait. We unfortunately didn’t do this and by the time it got to our daughter’s turn she was too tired, hot and grumpy to get on the poor pony.

Ride On Activities

There are three different ride on activities. A mini train that circles the hotel, electric cars and a merry-go-round.

Each activity is $5 per child per ride or $10 for all three.

These activities generally run late Friday afternoon (from 4pm), twice on Saturday and then on Sunday morning (around 9am).

Movies

There are kids movies shown in the auditorium at various times of day over the weekend. Friday has two sessions, Saturday four sessions and Sunday a single session. We were all geared up to watch The Trolls on Sunday and then my kids overslept until 9am – that has never ever happened before in 6 years. So I was too thrilled to be upset about missing the movie experience and keen for breakfast instead.

We will just have to do it when we go back!

School holidays

Don’t forget, if you’re visiting in the school holidays, there is a Kidz Klub. For only $25 per child per session, you can spend some quality time sans kids. The sessions run from 2pm to 5pm.

For the adults

If you’re visiting without kids, I am so jealous!! Ask them to put you in a room or wing or side of the hotel which doesn’t have many kids on.

There are activities for adults:

segway tours
golf, of course
Ubika Day Spa is open from Thursday through to Monday.
Weekend Morning Yoga (from 8am to 9am) and for only $10.

The Restaurants

There are 4 restuarants within the hotel and then another at the golf club. Anyone can eat at the Golf Club and there is an affordable pub style menu. We didn’t get to explore the golf club, which was probably better for all the golfers taking it seriously.

Jamison’s Restaurant

This is the go to for breakfast. You will find it also on the lower level, to your left as you go down the stairs.

What an awesome spread. Everything you want from banana bread and fresh juices to hash browns and pancakes. I loved breakfast. With the vittoria cuppachino’s on tap, this was my happy place.

It also runs a buffet dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. During school holidays it is open 7 nights.

It’s a very very family friendly environment but still with gorgeous views.

Sublime Lounge

Sublime Lounge is more of a café than a restaurant. It’s the first eatery you’ll see when you enter the hotel. It’s on your immediate left while the reception is on your right.

Sublime offers Cakes and Treats home made by the pastry chef. Having said that, it does also serves light snacks such as a Classic Club Sandwich, a Australian cheese board or a bowl of chips.

Eucalypt

Beyond the fish tank (that you cannot pass without inspecting if you have children) is Eucalypt.

The mimimum age for dining is 14 years old so it is a nice spot to go when you don’t have to worry about high chairs and loud diners.

Eucalypt is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday outside of school holidays. During school holidays, the restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday.

Embers Restaurant

This the restuant at the bottom of the staircase backed by the bar and in front of the tall fireplace. The meals are slightly fancier but they do have a kids menu. I felt too guilty letting my rambunctious kids eat here. It was just too pretty.

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What room did we get?

We’re a family of four with two young kids, aged 6 and 3. For us the double queen room was perfect. My husband slept in one bed and me and the kids slept in the other. I did start in the same bed as him but you know what parenting is if you are reading this website.

If you’re visiting with a toddler instead, or a baby, in a cot, it would be better to get the single king room because that has more space for a cot. A cot would not really have fitted in the room with much space to play with.

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